Cannabis with a street value of over £21,000 has been found by police after a motorist was stopped in a random road check in Coventry.

Two officers seized the haul of 60 individually-wrapped 9oz blocks of cannabis resin after the car was pulled over yesterday in The Bentree, in Stoke Aldermoor, just after midday.

A 27-year-old man was arrested and released on police bail.

Det Insp Matt Markham said: "I am delighted with the result - a seizure of this size can have a major impact in a small area like Stoke Aldermoor.

"We are committed to targeting illegal drug dealers in Coventry no matter what commodity they deal.

"It also serves to reinforce the fact that even though cannabis is due to be reclassified in January 2004, the dealing of the drug will still not be tolerated and sentencing of those who undertake such activity is to be toughened to reflect this when changes come into force next year."

PC Mick Irwin and PC Becky Wiltshire, from Chace Avenue, made the stop check and they acted on a hunch because they thought that the driver was acting suspiciously.

Their quick thinking resulted in them seizing the cannabis, which was boxed up in the car boot.

Police said it was one of their biggest finds in recent months.

The discovery comes days a large seizure of cannabis was made in Earlsdon.

A man suspected of involvement in that incident has been released on police bail pending further inquiries.